SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6116

                    AS OF JANUARY 18, 1994

Brief Description:  Increasing parents' liability for the acts of children.

SPONSORS: Senators Nelson, A. Smith, Oke, Amondson, Deccio, Sellar, Hochstatter, Morton, Wojahn, M. Rasmussen, Winsley, McDonald, Anderson, McCaslin and Moyer

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Susan Mahoney (786‑7717)

Hearing Dates: January 20, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The parents of a child who willfully or maliciously inflicts personal injury on another person or who willfully or maliciously destroys property are liable for damages to the person injured or the property owner in an amount not to exceed $5,000.

There is concern that the maximum recovery limit of $5,000 is inadequate to sufficiently provide redress in situations where damage far exceeds the $5,000 maximum.

SUMMARY:

Parents of a child who willfully or maliciously injures another person or destroys property shall be liable to the injured person or the property owner for damages in an amount not to exceed $10,000.

Appropriation:  none 

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested